1240 News

Editor's Note: Though this is an official News Release of the Legislative Branch of Rhode Island State Government, readers are cautioned that only one side, the legislators' side, of the story is presented here. Reader discretion is advised.

§ Speaker Mattiello bill would allow partial-fill option on opioid prescriptions
Addressing the opioid epidemic, Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) has introduced legislation that would give patients the option of only partially filling their prescription for painkillers. The bill (2018-H 7416) would allow a pharmacist to dispense a partial fill of a Schedule II controlled substance at the request of either the patient or the prescriber.Click here to see news release.

§ Rep. McNamara wants attendance review teams to combat school absenteeism
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation that would create attendance review teams in districts and schools where an absenteeism problem has been identified. The bill (2018-H 7040) would direct the state Department of Education to establish a chronic absenteeism prevention and intervention plan by Jan. 1, 2019.Click here to see news release.

§ Rep. Solomon bill would allow for early voting in Rhode Island
Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation that would help voters avoid long waits at polling places on Election Day. The bill (2018-H 7501) would create a process for in-person early voting to be conducted at locations determined by local boards of canvassers and approved by the state Board of Elections.Click here to see news release.

§ Legislators commit to fight for 2018 ‘Fair Shot Agenda’
Dozens of representatives committed at a State House event to advocate for the 2018 “Fair Shot Agenda,” a set of legislative solutions to address the growing gap between the wealthy and the middle class. The agenda includes a budget that protects people, investments in school facilities to make them safe and appropriate, pay equity, a $15 minimum wage and affordable long-term care and prescription drugs for seniors.Click here to see news release.

§ ‘Talking bus’ bill heard in committee
The House Corporations Committee heard legislation (2018-H 7087) sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) to prohibit the operation of the safe turn alert system on “talking” RIPTA buses in residential neighborhoods. Almost as soon as the system went into use last year, Representative Carson says she began hearing from constituents about all the noise they make while operating, which can be as early as 6 a.m.Click here to see news release.

§ Sen. Metts bill bans housing discrimination based on lawful source of income
Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) has introduced legislation (2018-S 2301) prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants or potential tenants on the basis of their lawful source of income. The bill is meant, in large part, to stop landlords from discriminating against those who receive Section 8 housing funds or other types of assistance. Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence) has introduced the legislation (2018-H 7528) in the House.Click here to see news release.

§ Rep. Shekarchi bill would increase Board of Elections transparency
House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2018-H 7438) to increase the transparency of the state Board of Elections by making it subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, which would require it to adhere to standards involving public notice and allowing public comment on any changes to its regulations. Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) has introduced the bill (2018-S 2088) in the Senate.

House Minority Whip Blake A. Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) has introduced legislation (2018-H 7387) requiring companies to notify Rhode Islanders of any security breaches related to their personal information. The bill would require that any company that experiences a security breach notify their customers immediately of the situation without unreasonable delay. Any company failing to do so would be in violation of Rhode Island’s unfair trade practices statute and may face fines up to $150,000 per data breach.

The House and Senate committees on finance began hearings on the proposed FY 2019 budget (2018-H 7200). Both committees heard staff presentations on the proposed budget, as well as hearings devoted to individual budget articles within the proposal. The committees will continue to hear testimony on the proposed budget for the next few months.

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

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The White House says President Trump is "voicing his frustration" with a series of tweets against Omarosa Manigault-Newman. When asked about the harsh tone, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said today Trump's tweets reflect Omarosa's allegations and "complete lack of integrity." Trump escalated the rhetoric today calling her a "lowlife" and a "dog." &nbsp &nbspStocks are higher today on Wall Street. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 112 points to close at 25-299. The Nasdaq rose 51 points to 78-70. The S&P 500 gained 18 points to 28-39. &nbsp &nbspItalian officials say at least 30 people are dead after a large section of a bridge collapsed in the northern port city of Genoa. The section of the highway bridge fell 300-feet during a strong storm onto buildings and railroad tracks below. Italy's transport minister called the collapse an "enormous tragedy." &nbsp &nbspFlash flood watches are in effect for parts of the Northeast as heavy rain continues to pound the region. Rising water levels have turned roads into fast-moving streams and some neighborhoods into swamps. First responders rescued people from apartments outside Philadelphia after a foot of water swept into their homes. &nbsp &nbspThe FBI is warning that high-tech crooks are hacking ATMs and cleaning them out of cash. The scam involves hacking a bank card processor and using the info to drain the funds. Cybersecurity blog Krebs On Security reports a similar scheme netted criminals more than two-million dollars from a Virginia bank in 2016 and 2017. &nbsp &nbspTributes to the "Queen of Soul" continue to pour in from fans around the world. This, after it was confirmed yesterday that Detroit-native Aretha Franklin is gravely ill and in hospice care. Last night at Ford Field, Beyonce and Jay-Z dedicated their concert to Franklin, saying, "We love you" and thanking her for her beautiful music. &nbsp &nbsp